Backyard Chicken Keeping

On February 24, 2016 the Elgin City Council voted to make the backyard chicken regulations permanent. In addition to the fifteen residences that participated in the pilot program, city council authorized up to ten more chicken licenses to be issued in 2016.

After realizing an increase in interested residents and growing waitlist to participate, on September 13, 2017, the Elgin City Council voted to expand the backyard chicken program by 75 licenses, authorizing a total of 100 chicken licenses to be issued citywide.

If the number of licenses issued reaches 100, the city will reinstate a waitlist and reassess the program.

Do you want to keep chickens?

YOU CANNOT KEEP BACKYARD CHICKENS IN THE CITY OF ELGIN WITHOUT A CITY ISSUED LICENSE

To acquire a backyard chicken keeping license, you must work with City of Elgin community development staff to make sure your property meets the minimum requirements. You will also be required to submit plans for your coop, build and obtain a final coop inspection prior to being issued a chicken license. Review the regulation summary below in addition to the coop building guidelines below before bringing plans to the Community Development permit desk, located within City Hall at 150 Dexter Court.

Regulation Summary

A valid chicken license must be issued prior to purchasing chicken

A building permit must be obtained prior to constructing a chicken coop or enclosure and final building inspection approval is required prior to obtaining a chicken license

Baby chicks can be kept indoors until they are fully-feathered (up to 8 weeks)

Maximum of four chickens

Roosters prohibited

Slaughtering of chickens prohibited

Chickens must always be contained within a coop or enclosure

Chicken tractors (screened mobile pens) are permitted

Chicken coops must be at least 25 feet from your neighbors and not visible from the street

Coops can be up to 50 square feet, chicken runs or enclosures can be up to 100 square feet